The Kumamoto earthquake's aftermath dominated editorial priorities for the fourth consecutive day, with the death toll reaching 38 and the first 'extreme heat day' recorded in Kumamoto City at 40.3°C. NHK and TBS led with heatstroke warnings and the government's measures to prevent disaster-related deaths. By midday, the Sankei Shimbun exclusively reported that the company 'Habitat' had instructed employees at three other stores to secure sales proceeds in safes, following the Aeon mall explosion where two women died after being ordered to return inside. The Yomiuri Shimbun quoted a victim's relative saying her 'serious nature' prevented her from refusing. Prime Minister Takaichi visited affected areas and announced the quake would be designated a 'major disaster.' The LDP's proposal to cut food consumption tax to 1% for two years was approved in a party meeting. The yen intervention story persisted but faded from top headlines, with the yen briefly strengthening to 155 per dollar after coordinated U.S.-Japan action.